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Glossary

Comprehensive glossary of international trade and customs terms

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)(2)African Trade(8)CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)(3)Classification & nomenclature(30)Commerce & markets(30)Commercial Documents(14)Compliance and Disputes(3)Customs & procedures(41)Customs Fundamentals(17)Customs Procedures(23)Customs Valuation(13)Customs valuation(15)Digital & tools(15)Digital Customs Systems(6)E-commerce and Customs(8)ESG Compliance and Trade(9)EU Regulations(17)EU regulation(15)Finance & payments(25)Incoterms(23)International Logistics(21)International Trade Finance and Insurance(4)Law & contracts(20)Logistics & transport(30)Origin(37)Sanctions and Export Controls(10)Tariff Classification(8)

A.TR certificate (Türkiye)

Origin

Movement document certifying that the goods are in free circulation in the EU or Turkey within the framework of the customs union.

AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)

AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)

Trusted status issued by customs to reliable operators, offering customs facilitations.

AES (Automated Export System)

Digital & tools

The EU IT system managing export declarations and controlling the actual exit of goods from the EU customs territory.

AI in customs

Digital & tools

Application of artificial intelligence to customs operations: automated tariff classification, fraud detection, risk analysis.

ASYCUDA / ASYCUDA

African Trade

UNCTAD customs IT system deployed in more than 100 countries, de facto standard in French-speaking Africa.

ATA Carnet

Logistics & transport

International customs document enabling the temporary admission of goods free of duties and taxes, without complex customs formalities.

ATA notebook

Commercial Documents

International customs document allowing the temporary importation of goods free of duties and taxes.

ATLAS (German customs system)

Digital & tools

The German customs IT system (Automatisiertes Tarif- und Lokales Zollabwicklungssystem) for electronic processing of customs declarations.

ATR

Origin

Movement certificate used in trade between the EU and Turkey under the customs union, attesting the free circulation of industrial products.

Abandonment to the State

Customs & procedures

Procedure by which an operator relinquishes goods to the State to avoid payment of customs duties.

Absorption principle

Origin

Principle whereby a material that has acquired originating status in a country loses its non-originating identity and is treated as 100% originating in subsequent processing.

Ad valorem transport insurance

International Trade Finance and Insurance

An insurance policy that covers goods up to their actual value, as opposed to the carrier's limited coverage.

AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)

African Trade

Largest free trade zone in the world by number of countries, aiming to liberalize 90% of trade between 54 African states.

Agent / Responsible person (products)

ESG Compliance and Trade

Entity established in the EU designated to assume the regulatory obligations of a foreign manufacturer for products placed on the European market.

Air Waybill (AWB)

Logistics & transport

Non-negotiable air transport document serving as a contract of carriage, receipt for goods, and instructions for the carrier.

Air Waybill (LTA/AWB)

International Logistics

Transport document for air cargo serving as a receipt and transport contract.

Air freight

Logistics & transport

Transport of goods by air, preferred for urgent, high-value, or perishable shipments.

Air freight

International Logistics

Transport of goods by air, preferred for urgent, high value or perishable shipments.

Allocation of costs

Incoterms

Division of transport, insurance, and customs clearance costs between seller and buyer, as determined by the Incoterm chosen in the sales contract.

Anti-Coercion Instrument

EU regulation

An EU instrument enabling retaliation against third countries exerting economic pressure to influence EU or Member State policies.

Anti-dumping duty

Commerce & markets

Additional customs duty imposed on imported goods sold below their normal value, designed to protect domestic industry from unfair pricing.

Anti-dumping duty

Tariff Classification

Additional customs duty imposed on imported products sold at a price lower than their normal value.

Approved exporter number

EU Regulations

Authorization allowing an exporter to self-certify the preferential origin of its goods on invoice.

Arrival contract

Incoterms

Sales contract in which the seller bears the risks and costs of transport to the agreed destination, corresponding to D-group Incoterms.

Assists

Customs valuation

Goods or services provided free of charge or at reduced cost by the buyer to the seller for the production of imported goods, to be added to the transaction value.

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)

Customs & procedures

Customs-certified status guaranteeing an operator's reliability, granting customs facilitations.

Autonomous duties

Customs & procedures

Customs duties unilaterally set by the EU in its Common Customs Tariff, as opposed to negotiated conventional duties.

Bank guarantee

Finance & payments

A bank's undertaking to pay a specified amount if its client fails to fulfil a contractual obligation.

Battery Regulation

EU regulation

EU regulation covering the entire lifecycle of batteries, from raw material extraction to recycling, with sustainability requirements.

Bid bond

Finance & payments

A bank guarantee accompanying a tender offer, ensuring the bidder will maintain their bid and sign the contract if awarded.

Glossary A-Z

A
  • A.TR certificate (Türkiye)
  • Abandonment to the State
  • Absorption principle
  • Ad valorem transport insurance
  • AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)
  • AES (Automated Export System)
  • AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)
  • Agent / Responsible person (products)
  • AI in customs
  • Air freight
  • Air freight
  • Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Air Waybill (LTA/AWB)
  • Allocation of costs
  • Anti-Coercion Instrument
  • Anti-dumping duty
  • Anti-dumping duty
  • Approved exporter number
  • Arrival contract
  • Assists
  • ASYCUDA / ASYCUDA
  • ATA Carnet
  • ATA notebook
  • ATLAS (German customs system)
  • ATR
  • Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
  • Autonomous duties
B
  • Bank guarantee
  • Battery Regulation
  • Bid bond
  • Bilateral cumulation
  • Bilateral trade
  • Bill discounting
  • Bill of Lading (B/L)
  • Binding Origin Information (BOI)
  • Binding Tariff Information (BTI)
  • Blockchain and customs
  • Blockchain and customs
  • Bonded warehouse
  • Bpifrance Assurance Export
  • Break bulk
  • Buyer credit
  • Buying Commission
C
  • Cabotage
  • Cargo manifest
  • Cargo Tracking Slip (BSC / BESC)
  • CBAM certificates
  • CCI (Customs Clearance Integration)
  • CDS (Customs Decision System)
  • CE marking
  • Centralised clearance
  • Certificate of analysis
  • Certificate of conformity (COC / VOC)
  • Certificate of origin
  • Certificate of origin
  • CFR (Cost and Freight)
  • Chapter notes
  • Chargeable weight
  • CHIEF to CDS migration (UK)
  • CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
  • CIF / FOB price
  • CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To)
  • CISG (UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods)
  • CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species)
  • Classification by analogy
  • Classification compendium
  • Classification of parts and accessories
  • Classification of sets
  • Clearance
  • Clearance channel
  • CMR consignment note
  • CMR consignment note
  • COFACE (historical reference)
  • Collection notice (AMR)
  • Combined Nomenclature (CN)
  • Commercial agency contract
  • Commercial agent
  • Commercial invoice
  • Commercial invoice
  • Commercial mediation
  • Commercial policy measures
  • Common Customs Tariff (CCT)
  • Common External Tariff (CET)
  • Common market
  • Composite goods
  • Computed value method
  • Confirmed letter of credit
  • Consolidation (LCL)
  • Constituent material
  • Construction Products Regulation (CPR)
  • Container (types and dimensions)
  • Containerization
  • Counterfeiting
  • Counterfeiting and customs detention
  • Countervailing duty
  • Countervailing duty
  • Country of last substantial transformation
  • Country risk
  • CPT (Carriage Paid To)
  • CS3D (European Duty of Vigilance Directive)
  • Currency hedging
  • Currency risk
  • Customs audit
  • Customs broker
  • Customs broker
  • Customs clearance
  • Customs Clearance and Incoterms
  • Customs de minimis threshold / Excess of €150
  • Customs debt
  • Customs Decision System (CDS)
  • Customs declaration
  • Customs detention (IP)
  • Customs duties
  • Customs export declaration
  • Customs fees
  • Customs guarantee
  • Customs inspection visit
  • Customs litigation
  • Customs release / Good to Remove (BAE)
  • Customs representation
  • Customs risk analysis
  • Customs Single Window
  • Customs transit (T1/T2)
  • Customs union
  • Customs Union
  • Customs Valuation Methods
  • Customs value adjustments
  • Customs value declaration (DV1)
  • Customs value declaration (DV1)
  • Customs warehouse
  • Customs warehouse
  • Customs warehouse
D
  • Dangerous goods (ADR / IMDG / IATA DGR)
  • DAP (Delivered at Place)
  • DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
  • De minimis (origin)
  • Declaration of exchange of goods (DEB / EMEBI)
  • Deconsolidation
  • Deductive method
  • Deemed Supplier
  • Definitive export
  • Delivery point
  • DELTA (French automated customs clearance system)
  • DELTA (French customs system)
  • Delta G / Delta
  • Delta I/E (Import/Export)
  • Demurrage
  • Demurrage and Detention Fees (Demurrage & Detention)
  • Destruction under customs supervision
  • Detention
  • Development regime (overview)
  • Diagonal cumulation
  • Diet 42 and Diet 63
  • Digital Product Passport (DPP)
  • Direct transport
  • Distribution agreement
  • Documentary check
  • Documentary collection
  • Documentary remittance
  • Documents against Acceptance (D/A)
  • Documents against Payment (D/P)
  • Domiciliary procedure (PDE)
  • DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded)
  • Drawback (duty refund)
  • Dropshipping and customs
  • Dual-use export controls
  • Dual-use goods
  • Due diligence directive (CSDDD)
  • Duty relief
E
  • e-Customs
  • EBTI database
  • Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
  • Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
  • Economic sanctions
  • Economic sanctions
  • ECOWAS TEC (Common External Tariff)
  • EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
  • Electronic bill of lading (eBL)
  • Embargo
  • Embodied emissions (MACF)
  • Entry in the Declarant's Records (EIDR)
  • Entry summary declaration (ENS)
  • Entry Summary Declaration (ENS)
  • Entry Summary Declaration (ENS)
  • EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification)
  • Essential character
  • EU Customs Data Hub
  • EU customs reform 2028
  • EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
  • EU Plastics Own Resource
  • EU-Africa EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement)
  • EUDR (European Deforestation Regulation)
  • Euler Hermes
  • EUR-MED
  • EUR.1
  • EUR.1 circulation certificate
  • Exchange rate
  • Excise / Excise duties
  • Exclusive distributor
  • Exclusivity clause
  • Exit summary declaration (EXS)
  • Exit Summary Declaration (EXS)
  • Explanatory Notes of the Harmonized System (NESH)
  • Export control
  • Export credit insurance
  • Export factoring
  • Export licence
  • Export license
  • Extraterritoriality of American sanctions
  • EXW (Ex Works)
F
  • Fall-back method
  • FAS (Free Alongside Ship)
  • FCA (Free Carrier)
  • FCL (Full Container Load)
  • FCL (Full Container Load)
  • Finished vs semi-finished product
  • First Sale Rule
  • FOB (Free on Board)
  • Force majeure clause
  • Forced Labor Regulations
  • Forfaiting
  • Form A (SPG)
  • Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
  • Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
  • Free trade zone
  • Free zone
  • Free zone
  • Freight forwarder
  • Freight Forwarder
  • Frontier carbon adjustment (CBAM)
  • Full cumulation
G
  • General average (General Average)
  • General Interpretive Rules (GIR)
  • General Rules of Interpretation (RGI)
  • Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP)
  • Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
  • Goods presented unassembled
  • Governing law
  • GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)
  • GUN (National Single Window for Customs Clearance)
H
  • H7 / Delta H7 declaration
  • Hague-Visby Rules / Hamburg Rules
  • Hardship clause
  • Harmonized System (HS)
  • Health certificate
  • HS Explanatory Notes
  • HS Explanatory Notes
  • HS nomenclature database
I
  • ICC Arbitration
  • ICS2 (Import Control System 2)
  • ICS2 (Import Control System 2)
  • Identical Goods Method
  • Import licence
  • Import REP (Extended Producer Responsibility)
  • Import VAT
  • Importer of record (IOR)
  • Incoterms 2020
  • Inspection Certificate / SGS
  • Insurance costs
  • Insurance obligation
  • Intellectual property (IP)
  • Internal Compliance Program (ICP / PCI)
  • International arbitration
  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
  • International factoring (factoring export)
  • International freight transport insurance
  • International Nonproprietary Name (INN)
  • International payment methods
  • International sales contract
  • Intracommunity VAT number
  • Intrastat / Statistical survey
  • Intrinsic value
  • Inward processing
  • IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop)
  • Irrevocable letter of credit
  • ISPM 15 (treatment of wood packaging)
J
  • Jurisdiction
L
  • LCL (Less than Container Load)
  • LCL (Less than Container Load)
  • Letter of credit (L/C)
  • Letter of Credit (L/C)
  • Lex mercatoria
  • Liner terms
  • List of working or processing
  • Loading and Unloading Obligations
  • Loading manifest
M
  • MACF (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)
  • MACF certificates
  • Machinery Directive
  • Maritime bill of lading (Bill of Lading)
  • Maritime charter
  • Maritime surcharges (BAF, THC, CIF)
  • Marking of origin (“Made in”)
  • MFN Rate (Most Favored Nation)
  • Most Favoured Nation (MFN)
  • Most-favoured-nation clause
  • MRN (Movement Reference Number)
  • Multi-function machine
  • Multilateral trade
  • Multimodal transport
  • Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
N
  • National additional code
  • National treatment
  • NCTS (New Computerised Transit System)
  • NCTS (New Computerised Transit System)
  • No-drawback rule
  • Non-alteration
  • Non-payment risk
  • Non-preferential origin
  • Non-preferential origin
  • Non-tariff barrier (NTB)
  • Non-tariff barriers (NTB)
O
  • Ocean freight
  • Origin declaration
  • Original accumulation
  • OSS (One-Stop Shop VAT)
  • OTC / TBT Agreement (Technical Barriers to Trade)
  • Outward processing
P
  • Packaging Directive
  • Packing list
  • Packing List
  • Paperless customs
  • Particular destination (End-Use)
  • PEM Convention (Paneuro-Mediterranean)
  • Penalty clause
  • Performance bond
  • Pharmaceutical nomenclature
  • Physical inspection
  • Phytosanitary certificate
  • Phytosanitary certificate / Veterinary certificate
  • Port handling
  • Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI)
  • Preferential origin
  • Preferential origin
  • Price actually paid or payable
  • Prior Import Declaration (DPI)
  • PRODCOM nomenclature
  • Proforma invoice
  • Proforma invoice
  • Proof of origin
R
  • RDE (Registered Customs Representative)
  • Re-export
  • REACH
  • Reference value
  • Regime 42 (VAT-exempt import)
  • Registered Exporter (REX)
  • Related parties
  • Release for free circulation
  • Release of goods
  • Release of goods
  • Removal credit
  • Retail packaging
  • Returns of goods
  • Reverse charge of import VAT
  • Reverse charge of import VAT
  • Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC)
  • REX system (Registered Exporter)
  • REX System (Registered Exporter)
  • Rome I Regulation
  • Royalties and licence fees
  • Royalties and license fees
  • Rules of origin
S
  • Safeguard measure
  • Safeguard measure
  • Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
  • Screening of sanctions lists (Screening)
  • Sea freight
  • Section notes
  • Sensitive assets
  • Shipment contract
  • Similar Goods Method
  • Simplified and complementary declaration
  • Simplified declaration
  • Single Administrative Document (DAU)
  • Single Administrative Document (SAD)
  • SIRET
  • Small Parcel Tax (TPC)
  • SOPRANO (French customs portal)
  • Special customs regimes
  • Specific rules of origin
  • SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) standards
  • Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC)
  • Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC)
  • Statistical nomenclature
  • Store and Customs Clearance Area (MEAD)
  • Stuffing and unloading
  • Subheading notes
  • Subsidiary methods of value
  • Sufficient working or processing
  • Supplier credit
  • Supplier's declaration
  • Supply chain traceability
  • Suspensive tax regime / Tax warehouse
  • SWIFT transfer
  • SWIFT transfer
T
  • TARIC (Integrated Tariff of the European Communities)
  • TARIC additional code
  • TARIC code
  • Tariff classification change criterion
  • Tariff heading
  • Tariff preference
  • Tariff quota
  • Tariff species / Tariff classification
  • Tariff subheading
  • Tariff suspension
  • Tariff-rate quota (TRQ)
  • Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement
  • Temporary admission
  • Temporary deposit
  • Temporary export
  • Terms of trade index
  • TEU / TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit)
  • TIR Carnet
  • TIR notebook
  • Tolerance rule
  • Trade balance
  • Trade embargo
  • Trade embargo
  • Trade facilitation
  • Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA/TFA)
  • Transaction value
  • Transaction value
  • Transaction value method
  • Transfer of risk
  • Transfer price and customs value
  • Transfer Pricing and Customs
  • Transferable documentary credit
  • Transit T1 / T2 / NCTS
  • Transit T1/T2
  • Transport costs
  • Transshipment
  • Transshipment
  • Triangular operation
  • Triangular trade (Chain Transaction)
  • Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU)
U
  • Union Customs Code (UCC)
  • Union Customs Code (UCC)
  • Union/Non-Union Merchandise
V
  • Value added criterion
  • Value adjustments
  • ViDA (VAT in the digital age)
W
  • WCO Classification opinions
  • WCO SAFE Framework of Standards
  • World Customs Organization (WCO)
  • World Customs Organization (WCO)
  • World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • WTO Customs Valuation Agreement
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Glossary

Comprehensive glossary of international trade and customs terms (447 terms)

A.TR certificate (Türkiye)

Origin

Movement document certifying that the goods are in free circulation in the EU or Turkey within the framework of the customs union.

AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)

AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)

Trusted status issued by customs to reliable operators, offering customs facilitations.

AES (Automated Export System)

Digital & tools

The EU IT system managing export declarations and controlling the actual exit of goods from the EU customs territory.

AI in customs

Digital & tools

Application of artificial intelligence to customs operations: automated tariff classification, fraud detection, risk analysis.

ASYCUDA / ASYCUDA

African Trade

UNCTAD customs IT system deployed in more than 100 countries, de facto standard in French-speaking Africa.

ATA Carnet

Logistics & transport

International customs document enabling the temporary admission of goods free of duties and taxes, without complex customs formalities.

ATA notebook

Commercial Documents

International customs document allowing the temporary importation of goods free of duties and taxes.

ATLAS (German customs system)

Digital & tools

The German customs IT system (Automatisiertes Tarif- und Lokales Zollabwicklungssystem) for electronic processing of customs declarations.

ATR

Origin

Movement certificate used in trade between the EU and Turkey under the customs union, attesting the free circulation of industrial products.

Abandonment to the State

Customs & procedures

Procedure by which an operator relinquishes goods to the State to avoid payment of customs duties.

Absorption principle

Origin

Principle whereby a material that has acquired originating status in a country loses its non-originating identity and is treated as 100% originating in subsequent processing.

Ad valorem transport insurance

International Trade Finance and Insurance

An insurance policy that covers goods up to their actual value, as opposed to the carrier's limited coverage.

AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)

African Trade

Largest free trade zone in the world by number of countries, aiming to liberalize 90% of trade between 54 African states.

Agent / Responsible person (products)

ESG Compliance and Trade

Entity established in the EU designated to assume the regulatory obligations of a foreign manufacturer for products placed on the European market.

Air Waybill (AWB)

Logistics & transport

Non-negotiable air transport document serving as a contract of carriage, receipt for goods, and instructions for the carrier.

Air Waybill (LTA/AWB)

International Logistics

Transport document for air cargo serving as a receipt and transport contract.

Air freight

Logistics & transport

Transport of goods by air, preferred for urgent, high-value, or perishable shipments.

Air freight

International Logistics

Transport of goods by air, preferred for urgent, high value or perishable shipments.

Allocation of costs

Incoterms

Division of transport, insurance, and customs clearance costs between seller and buyer, as determined by the Incoterm chosen in the sales contract.

Anti-Coercion Instrument

EU regulation

An EU instrument enabling retaliation against third countries exerting economic pressure to influence EU or Member State policies.

Anti-dumping duty

Commerce & markets

Additional customs duty imposed on imported goods sold below their normal value, designed to protect domestic industry from unfair pricing.

Anti-dumping duty

Tariff Classification

Additional customs duty imposed on imported products sold at a price lower than their normal value.

Approved exporter number

EU Regulations

Authorization allowing an exporter to self-certify the preferential origin of its goods on invoice.

Arrival contract

Incoterms

Sales contract in which the seller bears the risks and costs of transport to the agreed destination, corresponding to D-group Incoterms.

Assists

Customs valuation

Goods or services provided free of charge or at reduced cost by the buyer to the seller for the production of imported goods, to be added to the transaction value.

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)

Customs & procedures

Customs-certified status guaranteeing an operator's reliability, granting customs facilitations.

Autonomous duties

Customs & procedures

Customs duties unilaterally set by the EU in its Common Customs Tariff, as opposed to negotiated conventional duties.

Bank guarantee

Finance & payments

A bank's undertaking to pay a specified amount if its client fails to fulfil a contractual obligation.

Battery Regulation

EU regulation

EU regulation covering the entire lifecycle of batteries, from raw material extraction to recycling, with sustainability requirements.

Bid bond

Finance & payments

A bank guarantee accompanying a tender offer, ensuring the bidder will maintain their bid and sign the contract if awarded.

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